There's a secret to making holiday decorating feel less like a chore and more like a cherished tradition: engaging all your senses. Sure, twinkling lights and festive ornaments bring joy to your eyes, but when you add the right scents and the perfect soundtrack, decorating becomes an experience you'll actually look forward to.
This year, let's transform decorating day into something truly magical.
Set the Scene Before You Start
Before you drag those boxes out of storage, take a moment to create the perfect atmosphere. Here's how:
Start Your Playlist – Put on Spotify's Christmas Hits playlist and let those familiar holiday tunes fill your home. There's something about hearing "All I Want for Christmas" or "Jingle Bell Rock" that instantly puts you in the decorating mood.
Start Your Diffuser – Before you even open the first box, start diffusing one of our holiday essential oil blends. Our Holiday Wishes Essential Oil Blend is perfect for this—it fills your space with festive fragrance while you work. Add 8-10 drops to your diffuser, and let it run throughout the day.
Make It Cozy – Pour yourself a warm drink (hot chocolate, mulled cider, or your favorite coffee) and get comfortable. Decorating should feel special, not stressful.
Decorating the Tree: A Sensory Experience
Whether you're fluffing a faux tree or arranging the branches of a freshly cut evergreen, this is the centerpiece of your holiday decor—so let's make it memorable.
For Real Trees – If you have a real tree, you're already blessed with that amazing pine scent! Enhance it by lightly misting the area around your tree (not directly on it) with a pine or evergreen-scented room spray after it's decorated.
For Faux Trees – No judgment here (that's what I am using too)! Give your artificial tree that authentic forest feeling by diffusing a woodsy blend nearby while you decorate. Our Walk in the Woods Blend or any evergreen-scented oil will make your space smell like you just brought the tree home from the farm.
As you hang each ornament, let the music and scents work their magic. This isn't about perfection—it's about creating memories.
Room by Room: Scenting Your Holiday Home
Living Room (The Heart of the Holidays)
This is where the magic happens—gift opening, family gatherings, movie marathons. Keep your Fireplace Linen + Room Spray handy and give your couch cushions, throws, and curtains a light spritz as you arrange your holiday pillows and blankets.
Diffuse our Cozy Blend in this space for that warm, inviting feeling that makes everyone want to curl up and stay awhile. It pairs beautifully with twinkling lights and holiday playlists.
Entryway (First Impressions Matter)
As you hang your wreath and arrange your welcome mat, freshen up this space with a welcoming scent. A quick spray of Holiday Wishes or Spiced Cider room spray makes guests feel the festive spirit the moment they walk through the door.
Pro tip: Keep a small room spray bottle near your entryway throughout the season for a quick refresh before guests arrive.
Kitchen & Dining Room (Where Memories Are Made)
Even if you're not baking yet, you can still fill these spaces with delicious holiday aromas. Diffuse our Candy Cane Essential Oil Blend while you're setting up your holiday table settings and centerpieces. The peppermint scent is refreshing and pairs perfectly with the energy of preparing your home for gatherings.
Bedrooms (Your Holiday Retreat)
Don't forget about your private spaces! As you switch out regular bedding for cozy holiday linens, give your sheets and pillowcases a light mist with Sleep Well Linen Spray. Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean you don't need rest. In fact, you probably need it more than ever!
The Power of Scent Layering
Here's a decorating secret: layer your scents throughout your home, just like you layer your decorations. You don't want the same ornament on every branch of your tree, right? Same goes for scent.
Try this approach:
- Diffuser in the main living area with a warm, cozy blend
- Room spray for quick refreshes in high-traffic areas
- Linen sprays on fabrics like curtains, throws, and cushions
This creates depth and interest, making your home feel professionally scented without being overwhelming.
Creating Your Holiday Decorating Ritual
Once you've established this routine—great music, beautiful scents, and taking your time—decorating becomes something you anticipate rather than dread. It's no longer just about getting the house ready for the holidays; it's about immersing yourself in the season.
Next year, when you hear those first few notes of a Christmas song or catch a whiff of cinnamon and pine, you'll be transported right back to this moment. That's the beauty of combining scent with tradition—it creates a time capsule of feeling that you can revisit year after year.
Make It a Party
Consider inviting friends or family over for a decorating party! With the right playlist humming in the background and your home filled with festive fragrances, trimming the tree becomes a celebration. Pour some hot cocoa, hand out some ornaments, and enjoy the process together.
The scents will help everyone relax and get into the spirit, while the music keeps the energy fun and festive.
Final Touches
As you step back to admire your beautifully decorated home, take a deep breath. Notice how the combination of twinkling lights, favorite songs, and carefully chosen scents creates something greater than the sum of its parts.
This is what the holidays are about—not perfection, but presence. Not rushing through, but savoring the experience.
So this year, as you unpack those decorations, remember: turn on the music, light your diffuser, and let yourself enjoy every moment. These are the traditions your future self will treasure.